Lael As A Young Child
Lael was born two minutes before her twin brother Kellan on Stardate 236610.24 to Adelynn Rosek in Cedar Springs, Michigan. She never met her father and, due to her mother's silence, knew very little about him. From a young age, Lael showed a talent for mathematics and science, her curious nature leading her to a passion for taking things apart to see how they worked. She spent much of her younger years in fields, studying the local wildlife, even to the point of keeping a nature journal. This love of nature extended to the stars. Lael would often spend summer nights with her brother in her backyard studying them through a telescope. She would visit the nearby Carr-Fles Planetarium whenever she could.
At age 5, Lael joined her school's Daisy Girl Scout Troop and learned the importance of doing for others. It was also at this age that she first began taking jiu-jitsu lessons to combat bullying at school. Though she was bullied in her younger years because her Al-Leyan heritage, her easy-going and compassionate nature won her many friends. She loved to sing and participated in her school's choir.
Though Lael had always been keenly aware of her father's absence from her life, it hit hardest around the tender age of 9 when all of her friends were attending Father-Daughter dances and she was the only one who didn't have a father to go with. One particular year at age 11, she tried to talk her mother into contacting her father to see if he'd be willing to go with her. When her mother refused, Lael was disappointed and conceded that she'd ask her Uncle Thomas to take her. [1]
By age 12, Lael's confidence blossomed and she joined her school's Student Leadership Club (SLC). Her passion for active pursuits led her to join her school's cross country team in 6th grade. Her best friend was a boy named Nicholas Swett, who she remained close with throughout elementary and middle school. He was her first kiss at the tender age of seven. She’d dropped her sandwich at lunch wrestling with a boy named Blake Thomas for pulling her hair. She’d cried at first until Nicholas presented her with half of his and she'd pecked him on the lips to thank him.
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Mackinac Island, Michigan
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The Raven, Lael's first major construction project.
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As is typical for most young children, Lael had a vivid imagination and her play often involved fantastical adventures. One place, in particular, inspired many adventures: Mackinac Island, north of Muskegon, Michigan. She, her twin brother, and their friends would swim and explore the shores of the little island. On rare occasions, when her mother was planetside, they'd enjoy meals at the Mission Point Resort restaurant. Heaters would be set up on the outside patio to counteract the cold breezes coming in from the lake and the three would enjoy delicious mugs of rich hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmellows.
One summer, Lael put her building skills to use and constructed a boat, The Raven, for her and Kellan to take out on Lake Michigan. Having read about old Earth maritime traditions, she insisted on christening her new craft. Unable to obtain champagne on her own, she snuck into her Aunt's cabinet and retrieved a very expensive bottle. When her Aunt found out, she was furious. Lael spent the next month raking out the horse stalls to pay it back. [2]
Lael in Middle School
As she grew older, she sought more adventurous pursuits, chief among them sailing, cliff-diving, water skiing, rock climbing, and swimming in local ponds and lakes. When she wasn't hanging out with friends, she spent summers on her Uncle's farm doing chores and helping to care for the animals. She became skilled at riding horses and participated in several riding competitions as a young teen, winning second place in her first and second competitions and first place in her third competition. She also participated in her town's cattle roping event the year she turned 13. Animals became a passion for her and that same year, Lael joined her school's Future Farmers of Earth (FFE) club. At the Kent County Fair, she was awarded the Division 1 (grades 7-8) Agriscience Fair Award and also took home the second-place award for Outstanding Junior. Outside of her agricultural science interests, she loved sports and joined her school's girls' basketball team as a starting power forward. Her athletic talent helped her lead her team to the State Championships, where they unfortunately lost by three points. Lael was disappointed by the loss but continued to play basketball.
Lael in High School
Lael's mother was determined to train Lael in the feminine arts and when Lael was 15, Adelynn enrolled Lael in finishing school course she herself taught at the local country club. Lael learned social graces, various dancing styles, and how to play the piano. During the course, Lael became friends with a fellow classmate, Molly Dalinton, "who professed to hate it as much as she did". [3] The two would make faces and mock Adelynn's every move when her back was turned.
